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The Mighty are Strong. The Willingly Weakened are Stronger.

Strength is not just about the power to conquer. It’s also about having the might to endure. In our walk with the Lord, we not only have triumphant times, we also have times of trial requiring patience and longsuffering as the Lord does reconstructive work on our character. This brings us to our key text coming out of Colossians 1:11 (KJV) with the first portion of verse 9 given for context. The Word of the Lord reads:

9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be…. 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness

At this point in the scriptures, Apostle Paul is writing a letter to the people of Colosse. In this correspondence, he shares with the Colossians that he prays for them to be strengthened with all might according to Jesus’ glorious power. Through Jesus — when we are spiritually connected to our Lord and Savior — we have access to all might, and “all” is a lot. “All” is everything we could possibly need and more. “All” even includes the power to handle weakness. Longsuffering is defined by Dictionary.com as “long and patient endurance of injury, trouble, or provocation.” When we are injured, we are weakened. When we are in trouble or suffering provocation, we are not at the top of our game. Our strength is diminished if even by the slightest of degrees, and the Word of God is telling us that through Jesus we have all the strength to not simply endure but to endure with a smile. Now if that’s not a curve ball, I don’t know what is. Suffering with a smile? How can one do that? When you know the Lord is in control and that all things work together for His perfect will. The mighty are strong, but the willingly weakened are stronger.

To receive Ayvaunn Penn’s daily Bible devotionals by email, click here. Ayvaunn is an award-winning writer and author of Ephemeral Moments. This book of poetry and short stories addresses issues such as: struggles of faith, domestic abuse, racial injustice, a falling economy, and contemporary love – all through the eyes of a Christian. It is available for purchase on Create Space eStore. To preview the book, click here.